+ Was able to shut down highly regarded Penn State receiver Allen Robinson and Indiana receiver Cody Latimer

Overall Weaknesses

- Lacks consistent eye discipline in zone coverage

- Poor tackling efficiency due to tackling form

- Tends to rely on athleticism instead of solid technique

- Needs to overcome off-the-field concerns

- Has a relatively low floor to go with his high potential

Ian Wharton

Tools

Roby is an excellent athlete, possessing elite physical traits in nearly every category possible. He isn’t just a linear runner, as he has impressive lateral agility and fluid hips. His closing burst and acceleration are tremendous and force accurate and timely passes. He’s has a great vertical leap that allows him to compete with much taller receivers.

Intangibles/Character

Roby has multiple dings on his off-the-field record. On April 20, 2014, he was cited for operating a vehicle impaired but later pleaded guilty on a lesser charge. On July 21, 2013, Roby was arrested for a Class-A misdemeanor for assault, although evidence later proved his innocence. Former head coach Urban Meyer never seemed to fully support Roby, hinting that his work ethic wasn’t up to par.

Ian Wharton

System

At Ohio State, Roby spent time playing in a vanilla Cover 4 zone and press-man coverage, often with little safety help. In 2012, Roby gained experience in Cover 3 and was considered a shutdown cornerback.

Due to a major injury in the Buckeyes secondary early in the season, the defensive backfield suffered from mistakes by inexperienced players and a scheme that didn’t fit personnel, putting immense pressure on the veteran defensive backs.

Ball Skills

Roby has good ball skills when he’s playing Cover 3 zone or catch-man coverages because he reads the eyes of the quarterback well. He closes quickly on the ball and has great hands. When running downfield with receivers, he does well to look back for the ball and usually locates it. He can improve at looking back for the ball to avoid giving up chunk plays and drawing penalties.

Roby tends to lunge tackle instead of using proper form.Ian Wharton

Against the Run/Tackling

Despite playing with great aggressiveness against the run, Roby can be reckless with his tackling form. Too often he lunges at the ball-carrier and doesn’t wrap up tackles. In the open field, Roby is able to make impact hits that force dropped passes and fumbles. His gap integrity is good, and he forces ball-carriers into the arms of teammates.

Roby looks back for the ball and initiates contact, forcing an incompletion.Ian Wharton

Man Coverage

Roby uses his great athleticism to mirror receivers very well throughout the entire route tree. His backpedal is swift and smooth, allowing him to flip his hips fluidly and break toward the ball with ease.

Downfield, Roby can get desperate and grabby, but the majority of the time he plays confidently and under control. He needs to get more consistent and technically sound, as his confidence tends to affect how he performs throughout the game.

Roby has elite quickness and solid ball skills.Ian Wharton

Zone Coverage

Roby had a great 2012 season when he played in a Cover 3 zone scheme that allowed him to play close to the line of scrimmage and react to the ball. He struggled in 2013 when he was in a soft, basic version of Cover 4 because the defense had him lined up about 10 yards off the receiver to start the play.

Roby doesn’t recognize routes well enough to be a high-quality zone player at this time in his career, but a more aggressive defense that forces quick throws would compliment his skill set well.

Roby lost track of the receiver because he didn't recognize the route.Ian Wharton

Technique

Being an elite athlete, Roby doesn’t always have clean technical play. He shows good press ability and understands how to win at the line of scrimmage, using a good initial punch and making contact again when downfield after looking back to the ball. Roby can struggle on intermediate routes when defending great route-runners, but it isn’t a major weakness since that can be cleaned up.

Ian Wharton

Future Role/Scheme Versatility

Bradley Roby projects as a high-quality starter for an aggressive scheme that plays mostly man coverages, whether it be press or off-man. Due to his physical traits, Roby can develop into a big-play cornerback in a zone scheme after he learns and develops his skills.